SecondWindCreative image
Ben McLemore 2012-13 Postseason Accolades
-Consensus All-America Second Team
-Associated Press All-America Second Team
-John R. Wooden Award All-American
-NABC All-America Second Team
-Lute Olson All-America Team
-USBWA All-America Second Team
-USBWA Freshman All-America
-Third Team All-America by Sporting News
-All-Big 12 First Team (Big 12, AP)
-Big 12 All-Rookie Team
-John R. Wooden Award Final Ballot
-Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week (3/4)
-USBWA Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Finalist (1 of 14)
-USBWA Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Finalist (1 of 8)
-Naismith Award Top 30 Candidate
-Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week (1/21)
-Sporting News Mid-Season All-American
-Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week (1/14)
-Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week (12/24)
-CBE Hall of Fame Classic All-Tournament Team
Kansas freshman record-wise, McLemore's:
...589 points are a Kansas freshman record. He is the only KU freshman to have scored more than 500 points.
...15.9 ppg set the KU freshman record of 14.6 ppg held by Danny Manning in 1985.
...87.0 free throw percentage is first on the Kansas freshman list.
...73 three-pointers made in 2012-13 are third on the KU freshman list (Jeff Boschee, 79 in 1999 and J.R. Giddens, 74 in 2004).
...42.0 three-point field goal percentage is fourth on the KU freshman list.
...5.2 rebound average rank 11th on the KU freshman list.
KUAD Presser transcript
LJW image
“All my teammates and coaches said, ‘If it’s your time, it’s your time.’ It was my time,” the 20-year-old Kansas University freshman sensation said at a Tuesday news conference announcing his decision to leave school with three years of eligibility remaining.
“As a kid growing up, that’s what I wanted to do,” McLemore added of playing at the highest level. “Now I’ve got the opportunity to do that and provide for my family.”
Though seen as a no-brainer — McLemore is expected to be taken in the top three of the June draft — the decision was nonetheless painful for a person who is in no hurry to cut short his college experience.
The 6-foot-5 St. Louis native covered his eyes as he was embraced by his mother and two sisters shortly after leaving the media room where he and coach Bill Self fielded questions for about 30 minutes.
“I’ll remember this place the rest of my life,” McLemore said. “I’m going to miss my teammates, coaching staff, academic people and I am definitely going to miss the fans. The fans were supportive throughout this whole season.”
McLemore recalled fondly the night he scored 30 points in a win over Kansas State — a game in which KU’s fans serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” as he left the court.
LJW
McLemore is projected to go near the top of the draft. Maybe even the top if everything falls right.
No one can be expected to turn that down, even though McLemore admits that going into this past season he did not expect his draft stock to lead him immediately to the pros.
“Not at all. Talking to my mom, she wanted me to finish my whole four years (at KU) and get a degree,’’ McLemore said. “I definitely didn’t think this opportunity would be here for me.’’
Since it is, Kansas will start an entirely new lineup next season.
That would seem to jeopardize the Jayhawks’ string of nine consecutive Big 12 titles. Perhaps even lower the seed they obtain for the NCAA Tournament.
“On the surface it would look to be a huge rebuilding job,’’ said Self, “but we’ve had rebuilding jobs here before.’’
Usually — well, always — Kansas seems to manage just fine.
Perry Ellis must build on his late-season surge. Naadir Tharpe will be counted on even more to distribute and shoot. Jamari Traylor must figure out his game underneath.
In addition, a bevy of recruits from a class KU is still building — possibly with the addition of the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, Andrew Wiggins — should provide instant star power.
Do not underestimate the confidence Self maintains — not only in his players, but in himself, in his system and in KU basketball.
“The guys we’ve had, we’ve always had guys when others leave that just step up and find a way. They always just do it,’’ he said. “They’ll figure it out, they’ll find a way and we’ll recruit well and I think we’ll be in the mix once again.’’
When Self smiled on Tuesday, he did so for McLemore, knowing the high-flying guard had not yet “scratched the surface of what he can be, which is an All-Star.’’
..."We'd like to add another piece or two, without question," Self said. "It's hard to say if we're going to be good, or how good, but I'd be really surprised if next year's team isn't competitive, and doesn't compete for championships, just like other teams we've had here."
TCJ
Just saw myself shine on sportscenter highlight with a #ClassicManningFistPump
https://twitter.com/evan_manning10
Shout out to my brotha bmac aka @Humb1e_Hungry23 !!! He gotta get it! #kucmb4eva
https://twitter.com/MervDiggity22
Very happy for @Humb1e_Hungry23 I know he will do great things that's my bro I've seen it first hand Congrats fam....
https://twitter.com/AnrioAdams
Final USA Today/Coaches Poll
“As a kid growing up, that’s what I wanted to do,” McLemore added of playing at the highest level. “Now I’ve got the opportunity to do that and provide for my family.”
Though seen as a no-brainer — McLemore is expected to be taken in the top three of the June draft — the decision was nonetheless painful for a person who is in no hurry to cut short his college experience.
The 6-foot-5 St. Louis native covered his eyes as he was embraced by his mother and two sisters shortly after leaving the media room where he and coach Bill Self fielded questions for about 30 minutes.
“I’ll remember this place the rest of my life,” McLemore said. “I’m going to miss my teammates, coaching staff, academic people and I am definitely going to miss the fans. The fans were supportive throughout this whole season.”
McLemore recalled fondly the night he scored 30 points in a win over Kansas State — a game in which KU’s fans serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” as he left the court.
LJW
McLemore is projected to go near the top of the draft. Maybe even the top if everything falls right.
No one can be expected to turn that down, even though McLemore admits that going into this past season he did not expect his draft stock to lead him immediately to the pros.
“Not at all. Talking to my mom, she wanted me to finish my whole four years (at KU) and get a degree,’’ McLemore said. “I definitely didn’t think this opportunity would be here for me.’’
Since it is, Kansas will start an entirely new lineup next season.
That would seem to jeopardize the Jayhawks’ string of nine consecutive Big 12 titles. Perhaps even lower the seed they obtain for the NCAA Tournament.
“On the surface it would look to be a huge rebuilding job,’’ said Self, “but we’ve had rebuilding jobs here before.’’
Usually — well, always — Kansas seems to manage just fine.
Perry Ellis must build on his late-season surge. Naadir Tharpe will be counted on even more to distribute and shoot. Jamari Traylor must figure out his game underneath.
In addition, a bevy of recruits from a class KU is still building — possibly with the addition of the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, Andrew Wiggins — should provide instant star power.
Do not underestimate the confidence Self maintains — not only in his players, but in himself, in his system and in KU basketball.
“The guys we’ve had, we’ve always had guys when others leave that just step up and find a way. They always just do it,’’ he said. “They’ll figure it out, they’ll find a way and we’ll recruit well and I think we’ll be in the mix once again.’’
When Self smiled on Tuesday, he did so for McLemore, knowing the high-flying guard had not yet “scratched the surface of what he can be, which is an All-Star.’’
..."We'd like to add another piece or two, without question," Self said. "It's hard to say if we're going to be good, or how good, but I'd be really surprised if next year's team isn't competitive, and doesn't compete for championships, just like other teams we've had here."
TCJ
Just saw myself shine on sportscenter highlight with a #ClassicManningFistPump
https://twitter.com/evan_manning10
Shout out to my brotha bmac aka @Humb1e_Hungry23 !!! He gotta get it! #kucmb4eva
https://twitter.com/MervDiggity22
Very happy for @Humb1e_Hungry23 I know he will do great things that's my bro I've seen it first hand Congrats fam....
https://twitter.com/AnrioAdams
Final USA Today/Coaches Poll
Big 12/College News
https://www.portsmouthinvitational.com
DraftExpress Early Entry Tracker
CBS NBA Draft Early Entry Tracker
Recruiting
4/13 Jordan Brand Classic (Embiid, Selden, Wiggins)
http://www.jordanbrandclassic.com/
Wayne Selden 6'5" 215, SG, Roxbury, MA, Kansas - Selden had a very good week. Already has an NBA body and uses it well. Has the potential to be a lock down defender and had his moments on that end of the floor. Has good athleticism and can make plays from the PG spot in stretches. Jumpshot was more consistent than it has been in the past, but it still needs some fine tuning. A good get for Bill Self and another .potential one and done.
Andrew Wiggins 6'7" 205, SF, Thornhill, ON, Undecided - Scouts from all 30 of the NBA teams who were in attendance drooled over the superior athletic ability of Wiggins. He can simply do things others can't. As talented as he is, he still has a ways to go to refine his game. He either scores at the rim or from deep and really has no middle game to speak of. Despite that he did nothing to damage his status as the favorite to be next years #1 pick.
nbadraft.net McDonalds Practice Notes
4/26-4/28 Jayhawk Invitational
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